Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-03-10

ness of the deceased Judge. have not
sufficient experience Of Judge Wootten's
work to Nay anything of his ability, but /
can speak of the strong masculine char
acter of his mind, the stamp of common
sense chat impressed his decisions. He
was sympathetic and possessed warm
heart, the kindliness of which all the
young lawyers recognized and felt.
Though none of us may expect to reach
the extreme ripe age of the deceased
judge we may all essay TO emulate his
high example,"
George 81. Bates, Esq., next read the
following telegram from Secretary of
State Thomas +. Bayard:
Hon. GEORGE H. BATES: Please state to
our brethren of the bar that, although COM
PEELED by duty to be absent from their meet
Ing condole with them for the death of
Edward Wootten, the upright judge and
faithful public servant. 7. r. BAYARD.
The chairman of the meeting. Judge
Grubb then said: Before putting the
motion for the adoption of the resolution
there is little for me to add to the ex-
pressions given so sincerely and truly in
regard to Judge Wootten. With every one
of us his relations have not been merely
professional, they were personal. We felt
that he was more than judge, personal
friend Of each and all of us. While q law
student 20 years ago with my friends Mr..
Bird, Mr.. Spruance and others re-
member the deceased judge. Be was
contempory with the legal lights of two
generations previous, with Johu M.
Clayton, Martin H. Bates, Willard Hall,
and James A. Bayard. When dJwa in
Sussex recently / felt that my
presence there was an invasion of the
younger blood into the precincts of the
older. Judge Wootten extended his
kindly =, ,mpathy to me. l felt the kind
ness of The old Judge for the younger one.
Edward Wootten was a man among men.
There was nothing small, petty or ignoble
10 ut hun. At more appropriate time
shall xpress with more premeditation
my feelings in regard to the loss. The
nar will feel his loss as assuredly as the
bench does. l feel that in that vacant
chair there is loss that will be filled
with difficulty.
The motion in regard to the resolutions
was then put and carried unanimously.
The following committees were then
appointed by the chairman: Superior
court, Senator Gray and Levi @. Bird,
ESQ.,; United States court, John O. Patter-
son and e. g. Bradford, Fsqs.; court of
ohancery, Hon. Charles B. Lore and LC.
Vandegrift, Esq.
THE Y. NJ. D. o. CONTRIBUTES ITS TRIBUTE
TO JUDGE wooTTEN.
The Young Mems Democratic Club last
night week adopted the following resolu-
tions upon the death of Judge Wootten.
The resolutions were prepared by o COM
mittee consisting of L, O. Vandegrift,
Esq, Patrick Neary and John O. Farra
WHEREAS, The news of the death of the
Hon. Edward Wootten, one Of the judges of
the superior court Of Delaware, has come
to the community with startling sudden
ness; and
.'WHEREAs. 1t is BETTING that men should
acknowledge the uprightness of their fell
low. men therefore, be It
Resotued, BY the members of the Young
Mems Democratic Club of Delaware, that
they desire to add their tribute to the
memory OF the distinguished man, lawyer
and judge, who has been removed by death
from a career Allied with good to the State;
and one who has administered the laws
with equity and fairness for now nearly
half century; and be 1t also
Resolued, That these resolutions be spread
upon the minutes OF the club, be given to
the press, and copy forwaI ded to the
family OF the deceased, and that the club
do now adjourn ont of respect to his
memory"
MEETING OF THE KENT COUNTY BAR.
A preliminary meeting OF the Kent
county bar to do honor to the memory of
the late Judge Wootten was held in Pro
thonotary Burchinalls Office at Dover last
night week which was we'll attended con-
sidering the briefness of the notice given.
There were present Chief Justice Com
eggs, Judge Houston, John A. Nicholson,
Edward fiidgeiy, james L. Woicott,
George v Massey, John N. Nicholson,
Alexander Fulton, Harry johnson, Beniah
Truitt and N. B. Smithers, Jr, Esqs
On motion of George v. Massey, Esq,
Chief Justice Oomegys was called to the
chair, and James L. Wolcott, Esq, chosen |
secretary.
The chief justice referred to the |
solemnity of the occasion that had |
called them together and spoke in touch |
ing words of praise of his late associate |
on the bench. Judge Wootten was at the |
time of his death the Oldest man who had |
ever sat on the State bench. The speaker |
had the honor of sitting with him for IL |
years and in all that time he never beheld |
in him the slightest disposition to avoid |
any performance of duty nor any weaken |
ing of purpose to do exact Justice. He |
spoke of his excellent and remarkably ac-
curate knowledge of the law and his un-
common recollection of decisions made |
by the courts and of all matters and de- |
tails pertaining to the administration of |
the law. "I think" he said in conclusion,
''he was worthy of all the honors paid |
him. and am glad to sec so. many of you |
here tonight"
After appointing N. B. Smithers, Ed |
ward hidgely, James q. Pennewill and |
John N. Nicholson. Esqs committee to |
draft memorial resolutions, the meeting
adjourned until 8 O'Clock, Thursday morn |
ing the following resolutions were
adopted:
RESOLVED, That the bar OF Kent county has |
heard with deep sorrow OF the death OF the |
Hon. Edward Wootten. BY his long term
OF service as Judge Of the superior court |
and OF the court of errors and appeals, he |
largely contributed to the formation of the |
high character of our judicial decisions; by |
his uniform courtesy and urbanity he |
endeared himself to his professional breth- |
ctples OF law, especially as enunciated by |
the tribunals OF this State, he was the ready |
mentor OF his fellow judges; by his sterling |
integrity and perfect impartiality he COM |
manded the confidence of juries and It'll |
eants; and, In his decease, the whole com. |
munity has sustained a loss which seems to |
us irreparable.
Resotued, That the bar of this county |
will attend his funeral in body.
Res0tued, That N. b. Smithers be ap- /
pointed TO present these resolutions to the |
superior court Of this county and to the /
court of errors and appeals at their next |
session and to request that they be entered |
upon the records Of said courts, respect
lively.
Resolped, That copy Of these resolu-
tions, signed by the chairman and attested
by the secretary of this meeting, be sent to |
the family Of our departed friend, with the
expression of sincere coincidence In their
bereavement.
THE SUSSEX Bars TRIBUTE
A meeting of the Sussex county bar
was held at Georgetown Friday after
noon to pay tribute of respect to the
memory of Judge Wootten. John r.
McFee, Esq, presided and Edward D.
Hearn, Esq, was chosen secretary.
Charles M. Cullen, Charles r. Richards
ann Charles W. Whitley, Jr. Esqs., were
a committee to draft the very
fitting memorial resolutions which were
adopted, and the chair appointed Messrs.
Cullen and Richards committee to pre-
sent the same to the county
courts and the court of errors and
appeals. The resolutions deplore the
loss the State has sustained In the death
of the able and upright Judge who served
her 80 faithfully for nearly 40 years, and
declare that 1--WE will ever cherish in
grateful memory his genial and courteous
his patience and attention to